Calorie Restriction’s Impact On Strength

It’s not unusual for people trying to lose weight to cut out certain types of food or drastically reduce calories. A more conventional approach is to modestly reduce caloric consumption over a long period of time. How does that impact aerobic capacity and muscular strength? Consider the findings of a study recently published in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.
 
Researchers put 218 normal weight and overweight male and female subjects on a diet that reduced daily caloric consumption by about 11%. Before the intervention, 1 year into the program and 2 years after starting, subjects took an incremental treadmill test and knee strength test. Average bodyweight decreased by about 17 pounds while exercise capacity increased relative to body mass. Strength remained unchanged.